Stephen M. Paesel

Stephen Paesel, better known by loved ones as Steve or Stevie, from Steger, IL, passed away at 64 years old on April 10, 2024.

Stephen is survived by his children Jessica (Matthew) Berg and Keith Paesel, as well as his siblings, Ed Paesel, Tom Paesel, Jeanne (late Dean) Ramaeker, and Jeri (Barry) Potts. He is preceded in death by his parents Edward (2005) and Elizabeth Paesel (2002), as well as his sister Joanne Paesel (2010).

Steve will be lovingly remembered by family and friends as a huge sports fan who loved all Chicago teams, but especially his favorites, the Blackhawks and Cubs. He was a talented pitcher for Bloom Trail High School growing up, and looked back at his years playing for the team as some of his fondest memories. He also helped build Chicago’s famous Guaranteed Rate Field when it was remodeled in the early 1990s (then named Comiskey Park), during his career as a construction worker, and even as a die-hard Cubs fan, was so proud to be part of Chicago sports history.

During Steve’s career, he was well known not only for larger projects in Chicago like Comiskey Park and building portions of the NBC Tower, but also for the small and personal pieces he would build by hand, like the pair of benches that adorned his parents’ front porch in Sauk Village for decades, beautiful wooden decks, and so much more. If it could be built, Steve was going to figure out how, and would draw up perfect plans from scratch, executing them to near-perfection. He also loved to draw and sketch his favorite cartoon characters like Popeye, Mickey Mouse, and the Peanuts gang and had a generally good eye for arts and crafts projects.

Steve loved to cook, and was known to prepare huge pots of spaghetti, chili, and his mom Betty’s German potato salad recipe, never making only enough for himself. Steve always made sure he would cook enough of his favorite dishes to share with his friends, family and neighbors. This giving spirit did not start and end with meals, either. A man who never had much, Steve was always willing to give his time, effort, and anything he could to help another person. As a handyman, he was just as apt to donate his time to help with a household project or conundrum just as quickly as he was to share a bowl of chili.

Steve loved comedy and laughter, and everyone who knew him will fondly remember his unique sense of humor and love of jokes (appropriate and otherwise). He was a huge animal lover and had many beloved pets throughout his life, all of whom were attached at Steve’s hip, and any pets that met Steve always seemed to sense his kindness and were drawn to him almost immediately. He loved music, especially the oldies and any Motown or R&B like his all-time favorite artist, Stevie Wonder. Steve’s one-of-a-kind spirit and infectious personality will be sorely missed by those who loved him, but his memory will live on in continued shared meals, good deeds, and laughter amongst those close to him.

A Celebration of Life is being planned in Steve’s honor. The date and time for this celebration event will be announced in the upcoming weeks. For further information, please contact 708-755-6100 or visit our online obituary and guestbook at www.SMITSFH.com.